using a car starter as an engine.

[fowler]

either u can get a special tool

or take the spark plug out and put your finger over the hole

get a freind to pull the sarter cord and if your finger is pushed away by the air coming out then u are all good

also moterbikes have very useful engines as well as lawn mowers

u need somthing of at least 90cc
it should be writen on the side of the engine how big it is

 

[GuySapire]

OK.
So I need at least 90cc and 5HP.
Now I understand how to check the compression.
but i'm pretty sure its more complicated than that!
what else should I check?

 

[landuse]

OK.
So I need at least 90cc and 5HP.
Now I understand how to check the compression.
but i'm pretty sure its more complicated than that!
what else should I check?

Regarding compression, what fowler says is all you gotta do. If you can maybe see if it has a spark, that would also help. Hold the spark plug near the metal block and pull the starter. You should see spark arcing against block. If no sparkplug, stick your finger in there and see if you get a shock. It shouldn't give you too much of a shock.

 

[GuySapire]

Regarding compression, what fowler says is all you gotta do. If you can maybe see if it has a spark, that would also help. Hold the spark plug near the metal block and pull the starter. You should see spark arcing against block. If no sparkplug, stick your finger in there and see if you get a shock. It shouldn't give you too much of a shock.

too Sadistic for me!

 

[karl]

Umm- shouldn't you be doing actual schoolwork as opposed to screwing around on the 'net?

Umm I daydream, sleep, and zone out in most off my classes every day an I get A's and B's in all my classes. My motto towards school is minimal effort. It is so easy for me, I need some more advanced classes and some coffee of something lol.

too Sadistic for me!

Bring a old spark plug with you to test spark if it dosent have a plug in it.

 

[GuySapire]

I don't have a spark plug, so should I buy one before I go looking for an engine?

 

[fowler]

no because differant engines use differant plugs
just stick a peice of wire in there if u dont want the shock

the shock will hurt a bit but nothing to worry about

 

[GuySapire]

But if there is no spark plug, how can I test the engine?
Isn't the spark plug the part that starts the engine?

 

[karl]

no because differant engines use differant plugs

If your checking for spark it dosent really matter, whatever will fit in the boot (almost every spark plug will) will work for a spark test. If you dont want to buy one, borrow one from your lawn mower or something to check, then buy one that is meant for it.

If the engine is outside with no spark plug hole theres water in it.
Alot of older engines have points and contacts witch need cleaned, so it will not get spark but it takes 15min to clean and get running.
If it dosent have spark look for a coil in the junkyard it it dosent have points.

 

[GuySapire]

I don't have a lawn mower...
So Karl, are you saying I can buy a random spark plug to check engines?

 

[anderkart]

I don't have a lawn mower...
So Karl, are you saying I can buy a random spark plug to check engines?

Sure but if you do, make sure to ask the parts guy for a 'short-reach' spark plug. The length of the threaded portion varies quite a bit, and If you ever installed a long-reach plug in an engine that requires a short-reach, the engines piston might hit the spark plugs electrode damaging the plug and quite possibly also the engine.

But on the other hand, an engine that requires a long-reach plug will usually still run well enough to substitute a short reach for testing purposes.

 

[gabe1318]

depending on your size and weight to should get between 3-5hp and the compression can be felt when you pull the starter cord, if you pull it slow you should fell when the piston hit top dead center or so( it will provide resistence). you want and need compression on an engine its the engines ability to compress the air and gas before it ignites, no compression= no power.just google it and any other terms you dont understand